What is sailing the Caribbean with Norwegian Cruise Line really like?

Miami: More Than Just A Departure Port

Miami is a fantastic place to extend your cruise holiday if you have a little extra time.

It is so much more than just a departure port. When I was there, Art Basel was on, which meant the whole city felt like an open‑air gallery, with interesting pop‑ups, installations and events everywhere you turned. 🎨

Even outside of Art Basel season, Miami has that same creative, colourful energy. I especially love Little Havana, with its Cuban coffee windows, live music, street art and locals playing dominoes in the park. ☕🎶

It is the perfect area to wander, soak up the atmosphere and experience a completely different side to the city.

I'd always recommend a night or 2 in Miami before and after your cruise, it turns your trip into a brilliant twin‑centre: culture, food and nightlife on land, then total ease and exploration at sea. 🌆🚢

Balcony Life & Finding My Way Around

One clever detail on-board I really appreciated was the corridor carpets. (Bear with me here, this isn't because I'm a secret carpet enthusiast! 😄)

There are fish woven into the design and they all “swim” towards the front of the ship. 🐟

If you walk in the same direction as the fish, you are heading forwards. If they are going the other way, you are walking towards the back. It sounds tiny, but it makes finding your way around so much easier!

I stayed in a balcony cabin, which is the minimum category that I'll always suggest to clients. But is it worth it?

For me, absolutely. Not being able to see the water first thing in the morning would really take away from the experience.

There is something very special about sliding open the door, stepping outside in your pyjamas with a coffee and realising you are already somewhere new. The light, the sound of the waves, the sea air on your face, sunrise and sunset right there in front of you: it all becomes part of the rhythm of your day. 🌅☕

An Inside or Oceanview cabin can be perfectly fine, but that instant connection to the sea is what makes cruising feel different to any other type of holiday.

For me, that is worth every penny and it is why a balcony is always my starting recommendation when we are talking about cruise cabins. 🚢

The NCL App: Your Cruise In Your Pocket 📲

One of the biggest differences from cruising twelve years ago was the technology. The NCL app genuinely made the whole experience feel smoother and more relaxed.

From the app I could:

• Check what was happening on board each day 🗓️
• Make restaurant reservations 🍽️
• Browse and book shore excursions 🌴
• See important information like times and meeting points ⏰
•  
• so much more!

Instead of queueing at a desk or carrying bits of paper around, I could sit on my balcony or in a café on board, open the app and organise my day in a few taps.

For clients who like everything in one place and hate feeling disorganised on holiday, this is a big plus for NCL. ✅

Port Days With NCL: Three Countries, Three Very Different Experiences 🌎

Because I had not been to any of the ports before, I really wanted to make the most of each stop. NCL’s excursion programme gave me some brilliant options that were well run and full of excitement.

Harvest Caye, Belize: Howler Monkeys & Zipline Adventure 🐒🌴

Harvest Caye is NCL’s private island in Belize and it is exactly what you picture when you think “Caribbean dream day”: white sand, clear water, palm trees and bright blue skies. 🏝️

I started off this day with the Howler Monkey shore excursion. Hearing them roar in the wild is amazing, it is such a deep, powerful sound echoing through the trees! It honestly sounded like something out of Jurassic Park and nothing I'd ever experienced before.

They are not the only wildlife you see on this tour either. Our guide pointed out alligators, turtles and a huge variety of birds and other wildlife. 🐢🦜

I booked the Zipline Adventure Package for afterwards which was probably my favourite excursion of the whole cruise. That rush as you step off the platform, then suddenly you are flying over the island and the sea with the most incredible views. 🤩

Afterwards, you can flop on the beach or by the pool and just soak it all up.

It showed me how well NCL balance relaxation with proper, memorable experiences on their private island.

Roatán, Honduras: ATV Jungle Tour 🛻🌿

In Roatán I chose the ATV Jungle Tour. This was such a fun way to see the island.

We rode along muddy trails, through the jungle, with tropical scenery everywhere. A bit of adrenaline, a lot of laughter and a completely different side to the island than you get from just staying near the port.

I came back to the ship dirty, tired and very happy. Exactly how a good excursion should leave you in my opinion! 😄

Grand Cayman: Reef & Wreck Snorkel ⚓🐠

In Grand Cayman I went for the Reef and Wreck snorkel.

We snorkelled over a shipwreck, now covered in marine life, and it was fascinating to see it from above, lying on the seabed. Then we moved to a reef where there was so much to look at:

• Schools of colourful fish 🐟
• Stingrays gliding past
• Even lobsters hiding in the rocks if you looked closely! 🦞

Being in that underwater world is such a good reminder of why this region is so special.

I finished by heading to the island’s famous Seven Mile Beach, having a delicious poke bowl and relaxing on the sand/sea before we had to head back on board. If I could re‑do this day a million times over I absolutely would! 🏖️

Although my days ashore sound very action‑packed, it is worth saying that NCL’s excursions are not purely about adventure.

That was just my personal preference and what I opted for.

For every ATV trail or zipline, there were also more relaxed options: beach days with loungers and lunch included, gentle sightseeing tours, cultural visits, shopping trips, even “low effort, high reward” experiences where you are taken straight to the best viewpoints or snorkel spots without having to do anything too energetic.

So whether you are an adrenaline‑lover, a laid‑back sunbather or travelling with mixed ages and abilities, there is plenty of choice to match the pace you want.

Life On Board Norwegian Encore ⚓

Between all the adventures ashore, I really enjoyed simply being on the ship. Norwegian Encore feels like a stylish, modern resort at sea.

Food: Special Shout‑out to Cagney’s Steakhouse! 🥩

There are lots of dining options on board but my absolute favourite was Cagney’s Steakhouse.

Think:

• Beautifully cooked steaks 🥩
• Indulgent sides
• Cosy, smart atmosphere
• Lovely, attentive service

To take top spot in my estimations against the other amazing signature dining options is no small feat!

I experienced fantastic Teppanyaki, Texas BBQ, Mediterranean just to name a few cuisines.

All fantastic restaurants that I would be happy to book on land.

If you upgrade to the Free at Sea Package, then you get a number of free sittings at signature restaurants depending on your cruise length (eg, 3 for a 7‑day sailing).

There were of course also easy quick‑service style buffets and restaurants. So many options and not enough time to experience them all in one trip! 😋

Go‑Kart Track & Activities 🏎️

One of the most unique features of Norwegian Encore is the go‑kart track on the top deck. Racing around a track at sea, with the ocean all around you, is something I will never get tired of saying I have done.

I took part in a Travel Counsellors competition on the track and I came out on top against the other 30 in the group!

So if you'd like any racing tips for your time on board, just let me know! 😂

It is such a fun, unusual activity and shows how creative NCL are with their onboard features.

Around the ship there are plenty of other things to do: pools, bars, lounges, a theatre with fantastic shows, live music and quieter spaces where you can just sit with a drink and enjoy the view. You can be as busy or as relaxed as you like. 🍹

Kids & Teens: Serious Fun 👧👦🎮

The Go-Kart track wasn't the only thing that your kids will be excited to try. I was really impressed by the other family facilities.

Norwegian Encore has:

• Kids clubs and activity spaces
• Pools and slides 💦
• A brilliant virtual reality area that tech‑loving kids and teens will absolutely adore

NCL even offers 'Arcade Packages' as add-ons, which enable you to freely enjoy all the games the ship has to offer.

It is the kind of setup where children are entertained and safe, and parents can actually relax knowing there is always something fun for them to do. For family cruising, NCL really ticks a lot of boxes. ✅

Why I Would Recommend NCL After This

Coming back to cruising after twelve years, Norwegian Cruise Line really surprised me in the best way.

What stood out most:

• The freedom and choice on board
• The quality of the food
• The variety and organisation of the shore excursions
• How easy the NCL app made it to plan each day 📲
• Those little design touches, like the fish in the carpet, that make life on board smoother 🐟

Being able to wake up somewhere new without constantly packing and unpacking, enjoy a mix of adventure and relaxation, and still have all the comforts of a modern resort is a great way to travel.

If you are curious about Norwegian Cruise Line, I would love to help you choose the right NCL sailing and get excited with you!

Message me if you would like to chat about making an NCL cruise your next holiday. ✈️🌊

✉️ suvira.riza@travelcounsellors.com

📱 ‪+44 121 838 9969